You can use this diagram to plan your route through your education, starting from the qualifications and grades you have now. Below are descriptions of the various different qualification types.
Academic qualifications:
GCSEs provide a route into AS/A2 levels and other 'Level 3' courses. At the colleges and some of the schools you can increase your number of GCSEs in Years 12 and 13. However, you may be advised towards an alternative course at the same level.
A Levels are a Level 3 academic qualification awarded for successfully completing an AS and A2 Level in the same subject. A Levels take two years of full-time study.
An AS Level is the first half of an A Level course. It is also a qualification in its own right. You can take up to 4 AS Level subjects in the first year of an A Level course.
An A2 Level is the second half of an A Level course. If the relevant grades are obtained in the AS Levels, you can progress onto an A2 Level course, specialising in two or three subjects.
Vocational qualifications:
Applied A Levels are designed to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding in broad vocational areas and are an excellent preparation for further study or training.
The BTEC Introductory Diploma is equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grades D to E and takes one year of full-time study. It provides the opportunity to progress to the BTEC First Diploma.
BTEC First Diploma is a one-year, normally full-time course specialising in a particular vocational area. It is a good route to the BTEC National Diploma if your GCSE results were not as good as you hoped. It is equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grades A*-C.
The BTEC National Diploma is a two-year full-time course specialising in a particular vocational area. It is recommended if you are interested in a particular area of study and would like to have the alternatives of progressing to university or employment. It is equivalent to 3 A Levels.
Occupational courses / work-based learning:
Entry to Employment (E2E) is designed for 16-18 year olds who are not in education or training and need some help in getting the skills they need to get onto a course, into an apprenticeship or a job. E2E trainees get a weekly training allowance of £50.
Apprenticeships are nationally designed training and education programmes which offer young people the opportunity to start their career through a combination of learning and work experience.
NVQs are job-based qualifications specially designed to improve the work skills of employees in all industries. They are particularly suitable if you are already in employment and need a qualification either for promotion or to recognise your existing skills.
City and Guilds (C&G), OCR (Oxford Cambridge and the Royal Society of Arts), E-Quals and other specialist awarding bodies offer nationally recognized occupational qualifications providing practical and work-related skills.
English for Beginners courses:
Language support is provided across the Partnership. Many of our students are studying in English as their second language. If this applies to you, and you have not found exams easy, an entry-level course may help.
At higher levels, a number of vocational and occupational courses at the colleges have been designed for bilingual students. These courses are specifically designed for students who still need help with their English language development.
A good way to boost your points score, and gain another qualification, is to take an A Level in your home language. Search on 'Language courses' to see which courses areavailable. Community languages are held in twilight or evening sessions so that all 6f students can take advantage of them.
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